Cynodon dactylon plant named &#39;Grand Prix&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new variety of  Cynodon dactylon  named ‘Grand Prix’ exhibiting a dense stolon mat, fine textured leaves, low production of seed heads and wear tolerance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grassbotanically known as Cynodon dactylon, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Grand Prix’.

Cynodon dactylon is a member of the grass family generally used for turfand has the common name of green couch grass in Australia andBermudagrass in the United States. ‘Grand Prix’ has demonstrated highturf quality, dense matting, improved wear tolerance and low seed headdensity amongst other unique features. This new grass is useful for golfcourse fairways, tees, residential and commercial lawns, sports fields,recreational areas, such as parks, and other similar applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar ‘Grand Prix’ is a selection from a cross between‘Wintergreen” and ‘Couch 5’ (also known as C5) in 1998. The resultantseeds of that cross were germinated and 150 seedlings were observedduring 1998 and 1999. During the summer of 1999 to 2000, seedling plantswere culled based on their shoot density, leaf texture, internode lengthand colour. The remaining 20 plants were planted in pots at theEvergreen Turf farm at Pakenham, Victoria, Australia in Spring of 2000.The final selection of Seedling 12 in 2002 was based on shoot density,leaf colour, turf quality and reduced thatch accumulation.

To ensure the unique characteristics of the new cultivar remained stableand reproduced true-to-type, the original plant was multiplied throughfour vegetative expansions without showing any discernible off types.

Internode length and branching, length and width of the leaf blade,inflorescence raceme length and culm length were characteristics whichwere used for determine the most similar varieties of common generalknowledge. ‘C1’, ‘Hatfield’, ‘Riley's Evergreen’, ‘Winter Gem’ and‘Wintergreen’ were identified.

‘C1’ is the variety not protected by any plant variety rights and issold under the trade mark Legend®. ‘Hatfield” is disclosed in AustralianPBR No. 2565. ‘Riley's Evergreen’ is disclosed in Australian PBR No.1506 and is sold under the trade mark Conquest®. ‘Winter Gem’ isdisclosed in Australian PBR No. 3132 and ‘Wintergreen’ is disclosed inU.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,278.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Grad Prix’ have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may differ somewhatwith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity andday length without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Grand Prix’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Grand Prix’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. low inflorescence density,    -   2. short inflorescence spike length;    -   3. short leaf blade length,    -   4. medium leaf blade width,    -   5. short stolon internode length,    -   6. thick stolon

These characteristics contribute the advantageous features in “GrandPrix’ of forming a dense stolon mat that has finely textured leaves, lownumbers of seed heads reducing the mowing requirement and improving weartolerance of the turf.

The new variety is propagated vegetatively by sod, plugs, sprigs,tillers, rhizomes or stolons. Vegetative propagation has establishedthat the characteristics have been passed through at least fourgenerations without showing any discernible off types.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a comparison of the new variety (left) with comparators(from left to right) ‘Winter Gem’, ‘Wintergreen’, ‘Hatfield’, ‘Legend®’(C1) and ‘Conquest®’ (Riley's Evergreen).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The presentinvention relates to the genus and species Cynodon dactylon.

Variety denomination: ‘Grand Prix’.

Plants of the cultivar ‘Grand Prix’ have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength without, however, any variance in genotype.

1. Origin and Breeding

‘Grand Prix’ resulted from controlled pollination followed by selection.The new variety is a selection from a cross between ‘Wintergreen’ and‘Couch 5’ (also designated C5). ‘Couch 5’ was a selection from anearlier series of crosses by the breeder between ‘Wintergreen’ and anumber of Cynodon dactylon accessions, which were collected by thebreeder from the Mornington Peninsula area of Victoria, Australiabetween 1986 and 1990. C5 was an experimental breeding line, and was notsubsequently reserved as vegetative germplasm. Living material of C5 isno longer in existence.

Following the crossing of ‘Couch 5’ and ‘Wintergreen’ in 1998, theresultant seed was germinated on moist blotting paper. Individualseedlings, a total of 150 in number, were planted into 150 mm pots andthese plants observed during 1998 and 1999. During the summer of1999-2000, the majority of the seedling plants were culled on the basisof their shoot density, leaf texture, internode length, and colour. Inthe spring of 2000, the remaining 20 potted seedlings were plantedindividually into 4 m² plots at the Evergreen Turf farm at Pakenham(Victoria), and allowed to expand fully across these plots.

The final selection of Seedling 12 (later designated DN12) in late 2002was based on shoot density, leaf colour, turf quality, and reducedthatch accumulation as expressed in these plots. Propagation: theoriginal plant has been multiplied through four (4) vegetativeexpansions prior to PBR application without showing any discernible offtypes.

2. Characteristics

The description of the variety is taken from the comparative trialsconducted in the period of 31 May 2005-16 Dec. 2005 at Queensland TurfResearch, Redlands Research Station, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia(Latitude 27°32′ South, Longitude 153°15′ East, elevation 25 mas1). Thecharacteristics of the new variety are as follows, with all R.H.S.colour chart numbers referring to 2001 edition.

-   Classification: Cynodon dactylon ‘Grand Prix’-   Parentage: Cross between ‘Wintergreen’ and ‘Couch 5’-   Propagation: Vegetative propagation (asexual) by sod, plugs, sprigs,    tillers and pieces of rhizomes or stolons.-   Growth habit: Habit creeping, dense mat-forming, height short,    spreading laterally by stolons and rhizomes.-   Leaf blade: Linear-triangular, short length, small width-   Vegetative leaf:    -   -   Mean blade length on fourth leaf of flowering tillers.—34.41            mm.        -   Mean blade length on fourth node from stolen tip.—3.03 mm.        -   Mean sheath width on fourth leaf of flowering tillers.—2.61            mm.        -   Mean blade width on fourth node from stolen tip.—1.46 mm.        -   Mean sheath length on fourth leaf of flowering            tillers.—15.42 mm.        -   Mean blade length on fourth node from stolen tip.—9.16 mm.-   Inflorescence characters:    -   -   Mean length of peduncle on flowering tiller.—69.29 mm.        -   Mean diameter of peduncle on flowering tiller.—0.53 mm.        -   Mean flag leaf length on flowering tiller.—19.24 mm.        -   Mean flag leaf width on flowering tiller.—2.01 mm.        -   Mean length of inflorescence spikes.—34.15 mm.        -   Mean number of spikes per inflorescence.—3.45.        -   Mean inflorescence density (number per 0.01 m ²).—16.10.-   Colour notations, vegetative characters, based the R.H.S. Colour    Chart (edition 2001):    -   -   Leaf blade color.—137B (Taken at end of Spring).        -   Stolon colon.—N199A (Taken at end of Spring when exposed to            sunlight).-   Wear tolerance: Very high-   Disease susceptibility: The new variety has not shown any unusual    susceptibility to diseases or diseases when to compared to the    species.    3. Comparative Trial    Conditions: Individual propagules were grown in 40×40 mm tubes from    8 Mar. 2005. All varieties were planted on a 1 m×1 m spacing in    kransnozem soil on 31 May 2005. The plants were not defoliated and    weed control by pre-emergence oxadiazon was conducted on 31 May 2005    and 10 Aug. 2005. Pest and disease control was conducted with    cyfluthrin (armyworm) on 7 Jun. 2005, with dimethoate (couch tip    maggot) on 17 Oct. 2005 and with propiconazole (leaf spot) on 17    Oct. 2005. Nutrition was maintained by slow release starter    fertiliser (18-10-9) from 31 May 2005.    Trial Design: The trials composed of thirty (30) plants per variety,    with five (5) plants per plot in six (6) randomised blocks.    Measurements: Four (4) diameter of spread measurements per plant    were taken on 12 Jul. 2005, 24 Jul. 2005, 9 Aug. 2005, 23 Aug. 2005,    6 Sep. 2005 and the final at 173 days on 20 Sep. 2005. Two (2)    stolon leaf, internode and colour measurements were taken on spaced    plants on 15 Nov.-21 Nov. 2005. Two (2) shoot and inflorescence    measurements were taken on 14 Dec.-16 Dec. 2005 on spaced plants.    The inflorescence density (0.01 m²) per plant was collected 19-23    Dec. 2005.

In order to choose the trial comparators, the following characteristicsused for grouping varieties to identify the most similar variety ofcommon knowledge: Organ/Plant State of Expression in Part Context Groupof Varieties Stolon internode length short to medium Stolon internodebranching medium to strong Leaf blade length medium to long Leaf bladewidth medium Inflorescence raceme length short Culm length short

The most similar varieties of common knowledge identified (VCK) NameComments ‘C1’ ‘C1’ is the closest Variety of Common Knowledge. Materialplanted was the truest to type available of this cultivar. This varietyis marketed as Legend ® ‘Riley's Evergreen’ The variety is marketed asConquest ® ‘Winter Gem’ Planting material obtained from the breeder;derived from the same cross as ‘Grand Prix’ ‘Hatfield’ Planting materialobtained from the breeder ‘Wintergreen’ Samples were obtained frombreeder Peter McMaugh's ‘Wintergreen’ nursery block that has beenplanted for 7-8 years. This material is the truest to type available forthis cultivar.

Table 1 shows the characteristics of the chosen comparative varietiesand Table 2 lists the statistical measurements. TABLE 1 ‘Riley's ‘GrandPrix’ ‘C1’ ‘Hatfield Evergreen’ ‘Winter Gem’ ‘Wintergreen’ PLANT: GROWTHHEIGHT Creeping Creeping Creeping Creeping Creeping Creeping PLANT:HEIGHT Short Short Short Short Short Short LEAF: PRIMARY COLOUR (RHSCOLOUR CHART) 137B 137B 137B 137B 137B 137B INFLORESCENCE SPIKES:MAXIMUM NUMBER 4 5 5 5 4 5 INFLORESCENCE SPIKES: MINIMUM NUMBER 2 3 3 23 3 STOLON: EXPOSED COLOUR (RHS COLOUR CHART) N199A N199A N199A N199A148A N199B PLANT: LONGEVITY perennial perennial perennial perennialperennial perennial PLANT: TYPE mat-forming mat-forming mat-formingmat-forming mat-forming mat-forming PLANT: PROLIFERATION stolons andstolons and stolons and stolons and stolons and stolons and rhizomesrhizomes rhizomes rhizomes rhizomes rhizomes STOLON: INTERNODE LENGTHshort to short to short to short to short to short to medium mediummedium medium medium medium CULM: LENGTH short short short short shortshort LEAF BLADE: LENGTH short short to short short short to short tomedium medium medium INFLORESCENCE: PEDUNCLE LENGTH short to short shortshort short to short to medium medium medium STOLON: COMPOUND NODES with=3 with =3 with =3 with =3 with =3 with =3 leaves leaves leaves leavesleaves leaves STOLON: INTERNODE THICKNESS medium medium medium mediummedium medium to thick LEAF BLADE: WIDTH medium medium medium mediummedium medium LEAF BLADE: SHAPE linear- linear- linear- linear- linear-linear- triangular triangular triangular triangular triangulartriangular LIGULE: TYPE hairs hairs hairs hairs hairs hairs LIGULE: HAIRPLACEMENT dense dense dense dense dense dense INFLORESCENCE: SHAPEdigitate digitate digitate digitate digitate digitate INFLORESCENCE:BRANCHING spicate spicate spicate spicate spicate spicate INFLORESCENCE:RACEME LENGTH short short short short short short INFLORESCENCE: DENSITYlow medium medium medium medium medium to high to high to high to highto high LIGULE: SIZE short short short short short short

TABLE 2 ‘Riley's ‘Grand Prix’ ‘Winter Gem’ ‘Wintergreen’ ‘Hatfield’ ‘C1’Evergreen’ MEAN PLANT DIAMETER AFTER 173 DAYS (cm) mean 72.1  40.3 78.1  64.5  69.9  47.2  std deviation 12.1  6.2  20.4  16.2  8.7  10.3 LSD/sig 12.2  P ≦ 0.05 ns ns ns P ≦ 0.05 FIRST STOLON NODE WITH A SECONDLATERAL BRANCH (SPACED PLANTS) mean 0.80 0.80 0.82 0.50 1.25 1.23 stddeviation 0.18 0.17 0.19 0.15 0.26 0.10 LSD/sig 0.22 ns ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦0.05 P ≦ 0.05 FIRST STOLON NODE WITH A THIRD LATERAL BRANCH (SPACEDPLANTS) mean 1.08 0.98 1.28 1.02 2.02 2.18 std deviation 0.10 0.04 0.210.10 0.32 0.32 LSD/sig 0.25 ns ns ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 FIRST STOLON NODEWITH A FOURTH LATERAL BRANCH (SPACED PLANTS) mean 1.65 1.38 1.95 1.223.23 3.33 std deviation 0.36 0.12 0.35 0.34 0.50 0.32 LSD/sig 0.36 ns nsP ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 FIRST STOLON NODE WITH A FIFTH LATERAL BRANCH(SPACED PLANTS) mean 2.45 1.98 2.72 1.52 3.95 3.97 std deviation 0.450.26 0.43 0.36 0.48 0.44 LSD/sig 0.40 P ≦ 0.05 ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦0.05 FIRST STOLON NODE WITH A SIXTH LATERAL BRANCH (SPACED PLANTS) mean2.83 2.68 3.65 2.25 4.20 4.73 std deviation 0.22 0.17 0.75 0.37 0.480.45 LSD/sig 0.54 ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 LENGTH OFFOURTH INTERNODE (mm) FROM STOLON TIP mean 33.27  30.51  44.68  44.88 49.20  41.73  std deviation 1.88 1.36 2.88 2.66 4.04 1.67 LSD/sig 3.17ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 DIAMETER OF FOURTH INTERNODE (mm)FROM STOLON TIP mean 1.75 1.36 1.41 1.52 1.59 1.28 std deviation 0.050.06 0.04 0.09 0.13 0.06 LSD/sig 0.09 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦0.05 P ≦ 0.05 LENGTH OF LEAF SHEATH (mm) ON FOURTH VISIBLE NODE FROMSTOLON TIP Mean 9.16 7.40 9.84 10.74  10.26  7.30 std deviation 0.610.32 0.63 0.69 0.47 0.26 LSD/sig 0.63 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦0.05 P ≦ 0.05 LENGTH OF LEAF BLADE (mm) ON FOURTH VISIBLE NODE FROMSTOLON TIP mean 3.03 3.28 8.00 6.39 7.97 4.91 std deviation 0.75 0.312.00 1.57 1.88 1.01 LSD/sig 1.21 ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05WIDTH OF LEAF BLADE (mm) ON FOURTH VISIBLE NODE FROM STOLON TIP mean1.46 1.35 2.02 1.85 2.31 1.77 std deviation 0.20 0.10 0.21 0.21 0.260.13 LSD/sig 0.17 ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 LENGTH:WIDTHRATIO OF LEAF BLADE ON FOURTH VISIBLE NODE FROM STOLON TIP mean 1.892.37 3.80 3.34 3.31 2.66 std deviation 0.19 0.24 0.72 0.46 0.53 0.36LSD/sig 0.44 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 LENGTH OFSHEATH (mm) ON FLAG LEAF ON FLOWERING TILLERS mean 53.03  63.70  63.93 56.27  57.33  48.27  std deviation 4.25 8.17 4.14 2.67 4.26 2.92 LSD/sig5.58 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 ns ns ns LENGTH OF BLADE (mm) ON FLAG LEAF ONFLOWERING TILLERS mean 19.24  11.86  18.16  16.52  14.76  11.52  stddeviation 4.87 3.60 4.08 3.02 1.54 1.49 LSD/sig 3.92 P ≦ 0.05 ns ns P ≦0.05 P ≦ 0.05 WIDTH OF BLADE (mm) ON FLAG LEAF ON FLOWERING TILLERS mean2.01 1.24 1.55 1.55 1.59 1.27 std deviation 0.61 0.13 0.16 0.09 0.130.07 LSD/sig 0.30 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05LENGTH:WIDTH RATIO OF FLAG LEAF BLADE ON FLOWERING TILLERS mean 10.33 8.97 11.35  10.52  9.20 8.75 std deviation 2.09 1.87 2.02 1.61 1.12 0.93LSD/sig 2.07 ns ns ns ns ns LENGTH OF SHEATH (mm) ON FOURTH LEAF ONFLOWERING TILLERS mean 15.42  16.27  17.93  16.94  16.00  14.67  stddeviation 1.88 3.12 1.16 1.16 1.05 1.05 LSD/sig 2.14 ns P ≦ 0.05 ns nsns LENGTH OF BLADE (mm) ON FOURTH LEAF ON FLOWERING TILLERS mean 34.41 29.93  40.34  33.77  26.97  29.26  std deviation 3.93 5.92 7.93 3.253.82 5.11 LSD/sig 6.46 ns ns ns ns ns WIDTH OF BLADE (mm) ON FOURTH LEAFON FLOWERING TILLERS mean 2.61 2.22 2.60 2.50 2.53 2.17 std deviation0.14 0.14 0.12 0.07 0.17 0.12 LSD/sig 0.14 P ≦ 0.05 ns ns ns P ≦ 0.05LENGTH:WIDTH RATIO OF FOURTH LEAF BLADE ON FLOWERING TILLERS mean 13.26 11.17  15.47  13.56  10.76  13.53  std deviation 1.35 2.23 2.56 1.321.75 2.11 LSD/sig 2.47 ns ns ns P ≦ 0.05 ns LENGTH OF PEDUNCLE (mm) ONFLOWERING TILLERS mean 69.29  106.94  104.49  78.92  79.83  84.42  stddeviation 5.90 16.43 5.85 4.85 8.24 8.94 LSD/sig 10.47  P ≦ 0.05 P ≦0.05 ns P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 DIAMETER OF PEDUNCLE (mm) ON FLOWERING TILLERSmean 0.53 0.48 0.63 0.55 0.59 0.50 std deviation 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.040.03 0.04 LSD/sig 0.04 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 ns P ≦ 0.05 ns MEAN LENGTH OFSPIKES (mm) mean 34.15  42.27  44.45  44.14  41.22  32.02  std deviation2.32 6.00 1.54 1.81 2.63 2.18 LSD/sig 3.79 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P≦ 0.05 ns NUMBER OF SPIKES PER INFLORESCENCE mean 3.45 3.72 4.00 4.073.88 3.17 std deviation 0.00 0.00 0.41 0.55 0.41 0.82 LSD/sig 0.25 P ≦0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 INFLORESCENCE DENSITY (NUMBERPER 0.1 M²): 23 DECEMBER 2005 (UNMOWN SWARDS) mean 16.10  111.90  94.90 112.50  109.50  118.90  std deviation 7.45 46.66  26.34  19.87  57.16 69.88  LSD/sig 57.05  P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05 P ≦ 0.05MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SPIKES PER INFLORESCENCE 4   4   5   5   5   5  MINIMUM NUMBER OF SPIKES PER INFLORESCENCE 2   3   3   3   3   2  STOLON COLOUR EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT (RHS, 2001) N199A 148A N199B N199AN199A N199A LEAF COLOUR (RHS, 2001) 137B 137B 137B 137B 137B 137B

Statistical differences among the cultivars were determined according tostandard statistical tests.

After 173 days, ‘Grand Prix’ demonstrated a similar rate of lateralspread to all varieties except ‘Riley's Evergreen’ and ‘Winter Gem’which were relatively slower growing. The length of the fourth stoloninternode of the new variety was relatively short with only ‘Winter Gem’being smaller but not significantly. Short internodes enable greatershoot density as the shoots are produced from nodes on the stolons thatare closer together forming a tight mat. In combination with itsprostrate spreading habit, ‘Grand Prix’ forms a dense turf with goodground coverage.

The leaf length on the fourth internode of ‘Grand Prix’ was shorter thanall comparators and the leaf width was less than the other comparators,except for ‘Winter Gem’. The new variety significantly had the lowestleaf length:width ratio and as such these leaf measurements indicatethat ‘Grand Prix’ has fine textured leaves.

Of particular note, seed head production by ‘Grand Prix’ wassignificantly lower than all the other comparative varieties. This isshown by the inflorescence density where the new variety had an average16.10 inflorescences per 0.1 m² area compared to the comparators havingover 90. The very low seed head production of ‘Grand Prix’ provides anattractive appearance to the turf and reduces the need mow as regularlyas the other varieties. The inflorescence spike length is similar to‘Riley's Evergreen, but significantly shorter against all comparators.Short spikes are less intrusive visually in the turf.

The diameter of the fourth stolon internode of ‘Grand Prix’ issignificantly larger than that of all the comparators. Thischaracteristic assists in providing wear tolerance as a thicker stolonis able to provide more resistance to wear stress.

A wear trial was conducted by the Queensland Department of PrimaryIndustries & Fisheries at Cleveland, Queensland, Australia. ‘Grand Prix’showed significantly greater tolerance to weekly and fortnightly weartreatments applied with a Brinkman Traffic Simulator (Cockerham, S. T.and D. J. Brinkman. (1989). A simulator for cleated-shoe sports trafficon turfgrass research plots. California Turfgrass Culture 39 (3, 4),9-12.) fitted with smooth rubber rollers rotating at different speeds togive a scuffing action. ‘Grand Prix’ maintained higher turf quality anda lower percentage of bare ground under wear than the other cultivars.Table 3 shows the wear tolerance ratings for seven Cynodon dactyloncultivars based on turf quality and percentage of bare ground 35 daysafter commencing weekly and fortnightly wear treatments. The wear teststarted on Jul. 14, 2007 and the data presented in Table 3 was recordedon Aug. 18, 2006 after 5 weeks of wear treatment. The varieties‘Princess’ and ‘JTl’ were included in the wear trial, but are notconsidered to be similar varieties of common general knowledge to “GrandPrix’. TABLE 3 Wear Turf Quality Rating (0-9) Bare Ground (%) ToleranceNo Wear Fortnightly Weekly No Wear Fortnightly Weekly Cultivar Rating(Control) Wear Wear (Control) Wear Wear Grand Prix 1 7.8 5.0 4.1 0.017.5 33.8 C1 2 6.8 3.6 3.4 0.0 41.3 52.5 Riley's 3 6.3 3.4 3.0 0.0 40.053.8 Evergreen Wintergreen 4 6.4 2.9 2.3 0.0 47.5 66.3 Princess 5 7.43.3 1.9 0.0 47.5 75.0 Hatfield 6 6.5 2.5 1.4 0.0 50.0 78.8 JT1 7 6.0 1.41.1 0.0 83.8 87.5 LSD (P = 0.05) — 0.8 0.9 0.7 — 22.2 13.4

Analyses of samples of leaf and thatch from this experiment showedhigher Lignin, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Total Cell Wall (TCW)contents in ‘Grand Prix’ than in the other bermudagrass cultivars. Table4 indicates the chemical analysis of structural components in samples ofleaf and thatch taken from seven Cynodon dactylon cultivars mown to 25mm. All results expressed as percentages (w/w) on a dry matter basis.TABLE 4 Cultivar Lignin (%) TCW (%) NDF (%) Grand Prix 5.83 38.62 66.55C1 4.73 36.95 63.58 Riley's Evergreen 4.53 37.02 64.73 Wintergreen 4.3835.97 64.23 Princess 5.28 35.20 62.75 Hatfield 4.15 34.82 61.68 JT1 4.2033.62 59.45 LSD (P = 0.05) 0.81 2.86 4.05

‘Grand Prix’ is a turf grass having distinguishing features from ‘C1’,‘Hatfield’, ‘Riley's Evergreen’, ‘Winter Gem’ and ‘Wintergreen’.

1. A new and distinct variety of Cyondon dactylon plant, substantiallyas described and illustrated herein, characterized particularly by aunique combination of morphological characters.